Success is...

Finally figuring out how to get your iTunes playlists off your old and dying computer and onto your new and healthy computer without having to recreate them.

Using a long knife to stab and withdraw the half a bagel thin I dropped in the space between the cupboard and the fridge before it stayed there and grew moldy and forgotten.

Getting to stay home an entire day, wearing sweats and comfy socks but no makeup because it snowed the night before.

Nothing in the laundry basket.

Discovering a great dinner (a lighter version of a BBQ chicken chopped salad) and eating it three nights in a row.

Doing something great at work that made me look like a superstar.  Earlier in the week, I was accused of "slipping" by my beloved boss and he threatened to replace me with Minka Kelly (aka Lila Gerrity from Friday Night Lights.  No, she is not going to be an exec assistant anytime soon - but he can dream.) But today, I was awesome and I reclaimed my title as queen of everything and poor Minka goes back on his laminated list.

Blogging two days in a row!

Things I love

To try and break the bloggers block...

I love days where it's a blizzard one second and sunny the next and then more blizzarding followed by more sun.  A day where I get to leave work early.  A day like today.

I love going to my friends, the Allens for a sleepover.  Why?  Their kids love me plus we do nothing except talk, relax, eat and go to Costco.  Oh and we also watched Social Network which I really enjoyed for the most part.  Oh and we never take pictures of all of the fun we have.  Why?  Because we are too busy talking, eating, relaxing and shopping at Costco.

I love ice cream cones.  Yes, even in the winter time.  Sugar cone, please, with slow churned cookie dough ice cream.  It's the only time I stay within (or close to it) the recommended serving size.  But seriously, who eats half a cup of ice cream at a time? 

I love spiritual growth.  I've loved attending two wards most Sundays (yes, I know that sounds a little crazy) for ward conferences.  It's been a much welcomed spiritual boost and I just feel great.

And speaking of, I love ward conferences.  Besides the spiritual growth, I love seeing so many friends and I love the program we are doing for the youth of our stake.  We only have two more - I'm almost a little bit sad about that (but going to my ward again will be nice too.)

I love my hair (please forgive the vanity.)  I'm growing the length and I like it but I promise not to let it get to "that" length.  (You know - when it's too long for my age.)  Plus I just got the color done (yes, two months since the last time and yes, I hate that.)  But really, I'm grateful I just have hair.

I love water.  It seriously is the best beverage.

I love sweet messages from lovely people on my Facebook wall (you know who you are.)  I have such great people in my life.

And, I think that's it.  What do YOU love?

Q&A: An interview with me by me

Q: Why on EARTH have you not blogged in weeks?
A: Well, it's a combination of the following things: nothing that exciting to report, some kind of interesting things that I don't feel comfortable sharing and some spiritual things that are kind of personal and I'm unsure HOW to share them.  So I just haven't blogged. 

Q: Is it true you went to Target today for tissues and gum and spent $80?
A: Yes, alas that is true.  Having a Target a block away from my office is painful to my bank account.

Q: What do you think of the Bachelor this season?

A: I like it but obviously not as passionately as in previous seasons.  Thus, no blogs about it.  But I'm guessing I hate the same girl you hate (Michelle - ugh.)  I like Brad more than I did at the beginning of the season.  I still hate the way he talks but LOVE the way he hates drama and takes care of it by quickly getting rid of the drama-causers (except stupid Michelle.)

Q: How's the calling going?

A: WAY better.  We sort of hit a major rough spot in December but things have been working better ever since then.  I'm also feeling more comfortable speaking up in our committee meetings, which makes this calling more bearable (I despise feeling like I don't have a voice or don't get to vote.)

Q: What are your latest food obsessions?

A: Vanilla yogurt with granola and celery with a little peanut butter.  (Yes I'm trying to be healthier this year and it's feeling really great.)

Q: How many unread items in your Google Reader?

A: 788

Q: Well, if you're not reading blogs regularly, what are you reading?

A: Um, nothing.  I haven't read a book since December.  That's very sad, I know.

Q: What play are you seeing this week?

A: Rock of Ages.  I think Constantine from American Idol is in it too. My early 20's self is really excited to rock out for a couple of hours.  It will be difficult to not sing out loud.

Q: What restaurant are you going to for the first time ever this week?

A: Ruth's Chris.  KMZT and I are going before the play.  I'm not sure how it will play into my healthy eating pledge but I'll figure out a way to make it work.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share?

A: Have I mentioned that I'm helping with our stake's Trek this summer?  Well, I am.  I'm still Pa-less so obviously I won't be pulling a handcart but I get to be in charge of activities with my dear friend Lisa.  I'm very excited but a little bit overwhelmed thinking about all that my assignment entails.  But it will be wonderful - I know it.

And with that...nighty night!

And the crowd goes wild

Happy ward conference season, everyone! I will basically miss attending my own ward until sometime in March but it's fun to visit the other congregations too.  Our presentation about the 13th Article of Faith (focusing on the "being" and the "seeking") to the youth of those two wards went really well yesterday.

At the risk of sounding "braggy" I want to remember that when I was introduced at each session, I received spontaneous cheers from the girls in each group.  It was so very sweet.  Apparently, going to YW camp makes you kind of famous. No, I did not have to sign autographs, and no I did not need a police escort to get to my car afterward.  However, there are seven more ward conferences to go so applications for cute and, duh, totally single bodyguards are being accepted.

Oh and FYI: prayer works!  The thing I needed to go right at work actually worked out just fine.  Oh happy day. Thank you to everyone who prayed, sent good thoughts, dropped off candy or anything else that kept my head from exploding.  xoxo

And now, random thoughts...

But first, thank you to everyone who commented, emailed, or texted me a little love after my last entry. You are all simply wonderful and I'm blessed to know you.

Things are better -- I made it through last Sunday without falling apart.  Go me.

Work is so incredibly stressful. Like, the worst ever.  If what I need to have happen on Monday happens, I will sleep like a baby that night for the first time in a week.  And the perma-stomach ache will go away.  And maybe, just maybe, the eye twitch will stop.  Stress stinks.

I'm liking American Idol a lot.  I appreciate that we are seeing less meanness and more of the good auditions.  Steven Tyler just has "it."  I don't care what anyone says.  Mmmm.  And I own three Jennifer Lopez CDs and love them.  So there.

Post nasal drip?  Not my favorite thing.

I've been using Latisse on my eyelashes since December and you know what?  It totally works.  I'll try to get someone to take a picture.  It's kind of awesome.

Celery with a little peanut butter is my current favorite snack.  Yum.

It's not wintry here and I want it to be.  Is that crazy?

Modern Family makes me laugh a lot. Not so much this week's episode but loved the last two, especially the "slow down your neighbors" one.  Seriously hilariously funny.

That's all I got.  Bed time...nighty night.

Be still my soul

I've basically cried my way through the last two Sundays.  You'd think I'd be happier on Sundays because a. I don't have a "Sunday" calling so I get to visit and learn every week and I love that and b. church is now at 1 PM so that means I get one day a week to be lazy in the mornings (my idea of heaven.)  But no, I go to church and I cry, cry, cry. I try to hide it but today I had to go outside and take the long way to my car because I didn't want everyone to see me all weepy.  I've decided there are two main reasons why:

1. I'm feeling very empathetic lately.  Whether it's the family who has been having major financial struggles or the father whose son was murdered or the mom whose only son is coming home from his mission, I'm a weepy mess when I hear them share their feelings or see them cry. 

2. Church is the one of the few places where I am smacked in the face with what I don't have. If you know me at all, I try hard to stay happy and positive and grateful but lately whenever I'm at church, I just feel sad.  I know it's silly and selfish and I need to knock it off (and I will) but ugh.  Looking around at all of the couples and families just makes me ache.  Every talk, every lesson, every announcement (i.e. come to ward temple night - it's a great date night!) is a reminder of what is missing from my life.  I know I'll snap out of this and I know these feelings are temporary (it's the dreaded January funk, people.)  And I know I'll be okay. Again.

Today during the Sacrament I read and reread part of a talk by Elder Holland, "This do in remembrance of me." If you need some help focusing on the Savior during the Sacrament, start reading at the paragraph that begins "If remembering is the principal task before us, what might come to our memory when those plain and precious emblems are offered to us?" I highly recommend printing that section of this talk and tucking it into your scriptures.  One of my favorite teachers shared this years ago and I read it nearly every Sunday - it's a big help when your mind is wandering or you're feeling sorry for youself this January like someone else I know.  Hmmm...who on earth could that be???

Lost

I'm not one of those people who can just sit and watch a TV show or movie - I have to be doing other things.  So this week I'm off work (yay!) and I decided to finally get around to watching the last season of Lost.  I set up my Wii to stream Netflix (so cool!) and I've spent the last few days watching this very exciting, very stressful and at times horribly sad TV show.

I have two more episodes to watch and I still can't believe I've remained "unspoiled" and really have no idea what's going to happen in the end. I thankfully can send my sister text messages when shocking things happen but I want to talk to you, dear readers, as well.  In case you are still planning to watch, I'll speak in code.  Why oh why did X, Y, and Z have to die?  How did I not know that a certain West Wing actress was going to play a pivotal role? And what they did with a main character this season just kills me. Kills me, I tell you!

Anyway, I have to say, it's excellent TV but it's painful TV which makes it even harder to watch without something else to do.  So here's a list of what I've been doing whilst watching Lost:

1. Laundry. Three loads today, in fact. Clean sheets tonight = heaven.

2. Eating.  Christmas leftovers put Thanksgiving leftovers to shame.  From ham sandwiches on homemade bread to my mom's best she's ever made peanut brittle, January 1st can't get here soon enough.

3. Throwing out piles of paper.  I need to be better about throwing stuff out in 2011.  I keep way too much stuff.

4. Playing Fruit Ninja, Scrabble and Cut the Rope on my iPhone.  Seriously, such fun games. My high score on Fruit Ninja/arcade is 430.  How about you?

Hope you all are enjoying your holiday break as much as I am.